Broccoli
Parts Usually Used
The parts that grow above the ground
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Broccoli has large flower heads, usually dark green in color, arranged in a tree-like structure branching out from a thick stalk which is usually light green. The mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves. Broccoli resembles cauliflower, which is a different cultivar group of the same Brassica species.
Where Found
Broccoli is cultivated as a vegetable worldwide.
Medicinal Properties
Scientific research has shown support for broccoli having cancer fighting properites, bone health improvement abilities and anti-aging properties. It has also shown promise as a treatment for fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), schizophrenia, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s Disease, leaky gut and colitis.
Borccoli is also known for its ability to improve digestion, natural detoxification, immune boosting, cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects.
Biochemical Information
Broccoli contains antioxidant phenolics, such as 5 and kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside, 1-sinapoyl-2-feruloylgentiobiose, 1,2-diferuloylgentiobiose, trisinapoylgentiobiose, and neochlorogenic acid.
Legends, Myths and Stories
The word broccoli comes from the Italian plural of broccolo, which means “the flowering crest of a cabbage”, and is the diminutive form of brocco, meaning “small nail” or “sprout”.
Uses
Broccoli was traditionally consumed as a culinary vegetable across various cultures and diets. Historical food traditions associated its consumption with promoting digestion and regular bowel movements, largely owing to its fibrous nature. Folk dietary practices also held that incorporating the vegetable into daily meals supported bone strength, shielded the skin from sun damage, and helped safeguard the body against environmental pollutants.
Additionally, traditional practitioners valued broccoli as a general dietary aid intended to support cardiovascular health, regulate blood pressure and body weight, and maintain overall gastrointestinal wellness.
How Sold
Sold in grocery stores as a fresh or frozen vegetable
Warning
People taking blood-thinners, such as Coumadin (warfarin), should use caution when deciding how much broccoli to include in their diet. Broccoli contains vitamin K, which plays a large role in blood clotting. It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. The key to a healthful diet is to eat a variety of foods, rather than to concentrate on individual foods.
When applied to the skin, broccoli can cause an allergic rash in hypersensitive people. People taking these medications that are changed by the liver should be careful not to overdo broccoli in their diet due to potential interactions: clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline, zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), nicotine, chlormethiazole (Heminevrin), coumarin, methoxyflurane (Penthrox), halothane (Fluothane), valproic acid (Depacon), disulfiram (Antabuse).